‘True hero’ Kuno presented with top military bravery award

A four-year-old dog with a special connection to Melton has become only the 72nd recipient of the highest bravery award given to British military animals.
By Nick Rennie
Published 25th Nov 2020, 09:26 BST
Kuno, who underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation at Melton’s Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) HQ after being badly wounded in combat, has receivedthe highest honour available to animals who support the armed forces, the PDSA Dickin Medal PHOTO: courtesy of PDSA EMN-201124-173058001Kuno, who underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation at Melton’s Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) HQ after being badly wounded in combat, has receivedthe highest honour available to animals who support the armed forces, the PDSA Dickin Medal PHOTO: courtesy of PDSA EMN-201124-173058001
Kuno, who underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation at Melton’s Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) HQ after being badly wounded in combat, has receivedthe highest honour available to animals who support the armed forces, the PDSA Dickin Medal PHOTO: courtesy of PDSA EMN-201124-173058001

Kuno, a Belgian Shepherd Malinois, was this week presented with the prestigious PDSA Dickin Medal for his heroic actions in a gun battle in Afghanistan last year.

The remarkable animal was credited with saving the lives of British troops when he charged through a hail of bullets to tackle an insurgent gunman at a time when they were pinned down by grenade and machine-gun fire.

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Wounded from bullets in both of his back legs, Kuno was given life-saving treatment by his handler and by medics in the back of a helicopter.

Kuno, who underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation at Melton’s Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) HQ after being badly wounded in combat, has receivedthe highest honour available to animals who support the armed forces, the PDSA Dickin Medal PHOTO: courtesy of PDSA EMN-201124-173134001Kuno, who underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation at Melton’s Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) HQ after being badly wounded in combat, has receivedthe highest honour available to animals who support the armed forces, the PDSA Dickin Medal PHOTO: courtesy of PDSA EMN-201124-173134001
Kuno, who underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation at Melton’s Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) HQ after being badly wounded in combat, has receivedthe highest honour available to animals who support the armed forces, the PDSA Dickin Medal PHOTO: courtesy of PDSA EMN-201124-173134001

He was transferred after several operations and then transferred to the Defence Animal Training Regiment, in Melton, where he had major reconstructive surgery, overseen by Professor Dick White, one of the world’s leading specialists in canine surgery.

Kuno then followed a lengthy and innovative programme of rehabilitation to get his nerves and muscles working again, just as injured servicement and women do.

He was the first UK military working dog to be fitted with custom-made prosthetic limbs and is now retired from service and living happily with a family.

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The inspiring dog was formally presented with his Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross – via a virtual presentation by the vet charity’s director general, Jan McLoughlin.

Kuno, who underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation at Melton’s Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) HQ after being badly wounded in combat, has receivedthe highest honour available to animals who support the armed forces, the PDSA Dickin Medal PHOTO: courtesy of PDSA EMN-201124-173146001Kuno, who underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation at Melton’s Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) HQ after being badly wounded in combat, has receivedthe highest honour available to animals who support the armed forces, the PDSA Dickin Medal PHOTO: courtesy of PDSA EMN-201124-173146001
Kuno, who underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation at Melton’s Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) HQ after being badly wounded in combat, has receivedthe highest honour available to animals who support the armed forces, the PDSA Dickin Medal PHOTO: courtesy of PDSA EMN-201124-173146001

She said: “Kuno is a true hero.

“His actions that day undoubtedly changed the course of a vital mission, saving multiple lives in the process.

“And despite serious, life changing injuries, he performed his duty without faltering.

“For this bravery and devotion to duty, we are honoured to welcome him as the latest recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal.”

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The operation in which he was to win his bravery award was just one of 16 which Kuno was involved in over a five-month period in mountainous, unforgiving and dangerous areas.

He was regarded as a pivotal member of the UK special forces and host nation forces teams in his role, which was to detect explosives, find hidden weapons and incapacitate the enemy, if so ordered.

Since the Dickin Medal was founded in 1943, it has been awarded to 35 dogs, 32 World War Two messenger pigeons, four horses and a cat.

Go online at www.pdsa.org.uk/kuno to see a moving film about Kuno and watch him receiving his medal.

Related topics:MeltonAfghanistan